Anger Seldom Helps

I have a problem with anger. The Lord helping me, the problem happens less often. Sometimes we get angry for right reasons and sometimes for wrong reasons. Often we don*t know or care about the difference. It can be helpful if we take a bit of time and try to learn why we are angry. If we are angry about sin, our own or someone else*s, that would be righteous indignation and would be appropriate. Most of the time when we get angry it is inappropriate. Many people try to count to ten before they explode. I have never found that helpful.

What I have found helpful is to try to figure out why I am angry before I explode. That can take hours or days or weeks. Once I figure out why I am angry, there is a chance that I can say the right thing or do the right thing. There is a chance I will remember to ask the Lord what to do about it and ask for His help. When we are angry about the wrong things, God*s will doesn*t happen.

James 1:19-20: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

It can help for me to know that my anger probably doesn*t make a bit of difference to the offender. It can also help for me to understand that as long as I am angry with someone, I am giving them a measure of power over me. I am permitting them to take away my peace of mind. When anger occupies our minds there isn*t room for anything else. There isn*t room for logic. There isn*t room for thoughts about the Lord. There isn*t room for prayer. There isn*t room for love. There isn*t room for meditation.

Proverbs 14:29: He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 16:32: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Proverbs 19:11: The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Matthew 5:22: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Proverbs 14:17: He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Our anger is usually expressed verbally. With the Lord*s help we can be wise and think the right things, speak the right things and do the right things.

James 1:5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

2 Corinthians 10:5b: . . . bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Psalms 141:3: Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Isaiah 50:4: The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

Proverbs 15:23: A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Proverbs 25:11: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.